By Staff Writer 

MANDERA, Kenya, July 29- The Mandera County government has launched the second phase of the Yabicho A Irrigation Infrastructure Project, expanding irrigated farmland by 100 acres and extending support to an additional 200 farmers as part of efforts to strengthen food security and protect communities from recurring flash floods.

The project builds on the first phase implemented during the 2024/2025 financial year, which brought 150 acres under irrigation and benefited about 250 farmers.

County officials said the second phase is intended to expand agricultural production while reducing the vulnerability of households living along the River Daua, where recurrent flash floods have disrupted farming activities and livelihoods.

“The newly launched Phase II has expanded irrigation to an additional 100 acres, with 200 more farmers set to benefit,” the county government said in a statement.

The county said the project aims to protect livelihoods by opening up farmland away from flood-prone areas and improving irrigation infrastructure to support sustainable agricultural production.

Officials said the initiative is expected to increase crop production, strengthen household food security and help restore livelihoods through improved irrigation systems and sustainable farming practices.

The project was officially handed over to the contractor on Tuesday during a ceremony attended by the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Bare Shabure, Chief Officer for Irrigation Abdiaziz Bare, community members and other county officials.

The county government said the number of beneficiaries is expected to increase beyond the current estimates as farmers continue expanding irrigated land through the construction of additional earthen canals to distribute water to newly developed fields.

“The number of beneficiaries from both phases is expected to grow as farmers continue to expand irrigated farmland through the construction of additional earthen canals to distribute water to newly developed fields,” the statement said.

The River Daua, which forms part of the Kenya-Ethiopia border, is a critical source of water for irrigation in the area. While seasonal flooding replenishes water supplies, it also damages farms, displaces households and disrupts agricultural production in nearby communities.

County authorities said expanding irrigation infrastructure is intended to encourage farming in safer locations while making better use of available water resources throughout the year.